DNS propagation checker

Check whether your DNS changes have gone through worldwide, across 12 public DNS resolvers.

Querying DNS resolvers...

What is DNS propagation?

DNS propagation is the process in which changed DNS records spread across all DNS servers worldwide. When you make a change to your domain name, such as changing the nameservers, updating an A record or adding MX records, it takes a while before every DNS server in the world has picked up the new information.

That's because DNS servers temporarily store answers in their cache. Only when that cache expires (as set by the TTL value) is the new information fetched. With our DNS propagation checker you can see in real time which DNS resolvers have already been updated and which still show the old values.

How does this tool work?

Our DNS propagation checker queries 12 public DNS resolvers around the world, including Google DNS (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Quad9, OpenDNS and more. For each record type you select, we check whether all resolvers return the same value.

  • 100% propagated: all resolvers return the same answer, so your change has fully gone through
  • 75-99%: most resolvers have been updated, so give it a little more time for full propagation
  • Below 75%: propagation is still in progress, which can take up to 48 hours depending on the TTL

How long does DNS propagation take?

How long DNS propagation takes depends on several factors:

  • TTL (Time To Live): this is the most important factor. A TTL of 3600 (1 hour) means resolvers keep an old answer cached for at most 1 hour. With Theory7 web hosting we use a default TTL of 1 hour.
  • Type of change: nameserver changes take longer (24 to 48 hours) than a simple A record update (minutes to hours).
  • ISP DNS servers: some internet service providers cache more aggressively than public resolvers.

Tips to speed up propagation

  • Lower the TTL of your DNS records to 300 seconds (5 minutes) at least 24 hours before a planned change
  • Flush your local DNS cache after the change: ipconfig /flushdns (Windows) or sudo dscacheutil -flushcache (Mac)
  • Use our DNS lookup tool to check the current records of your domain

Which record types can you check?

  • A record: links your domain to an IPv4 address (the most commonly used record)
  • AAAA record: links your domain to an IPv6 address
  • MX record: specifies which mail servers receive email for your domain
  • NS record: indicates which nameservers are authoritative for your domain
  • CNAME record: creates an alias from one domain to another
  • TXT record: holds text information such as SPF, DKIM and domain verification

Want to see all your DNS records in detail? Use our DNS lookup tool. We also have a separate tool for checking your SSL certificate.

Frequently asked questions about DNS propagation

What is DNS propagation?
DNS propagation is the process in which changed DNS records are updated on all DNS servers worldwide. For example, when you change your nameservers or update an A record, it takes a while before every DNS server has picked up the new information. That's because DNS servers cache answers based on the TTL value.
How long does DNS propagation take?
DNS propagation usually takes between 15 minutes and 48 hours. The exact time depends on the TTL of your DNS records and the type of change. An A record with a TTL of 1 hour is typically updated worldwide within 1 to 2 hours. Nameserver changes can take up to 48 hours.
Why do I see different results from different resolvers?
Every DNS resolver has its own cache with a set expiration time. If you just made a change, some resolvers still have the old value cached. This is normal and resolves itself once all caches expire. Our tool shows you exactly which resolvers have already been updated.
Can I speed up DNS propagation?
You can prepare for propagation by lowering the TTL to 300 seconds at least 24 hours before your planned change. After the change, you can flush your local DNS cache. You can't directly speed up the worldwide propagation itself: that depends on the TTL settings and the caching behavior of each individual DNS server.
Which DNS resolvers does this tool check?
Our DNS propagation checker queries 12 public DNS resolvers: Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1), Quad9 (9.9.9.9), OpenDNS (208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220), Verisign (64.6.64.6), CleanBrowsing, Yandex, AdGuard and Control D. Together they give a good picture of the worldwide DNS status.

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